Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether years spent in the Civil Service Pension Scheme up to 2013 will continue to attract pension rights based on the final salary of the employee on their retirement at age 65 years following the proposed changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Cabinet Office's consultation document, "Building a sustainable future", proposes that pension rights earned before April 2013 by staff in post on 5 April 2006 will continue to be calculated by reference to a pension age of 60 and their final salary whenever they choose to retire or leave service.

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the effect that the changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme retirement age will have on serving prison officers who may become unable to carry out their prison work beyond the age of 60 years due to physical incapacity; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Cabinet Office's consultation document, "Building a sustainable future", proposes that the new pension arrangements will, as now, include provisions for members who have to retire before pension age because of ill health or physical incapacity. The document also recognises that the physically-demanding nature of some members' jobs may not be compatible with a pension age of 65. Officials are discussing with employers of civil servants in physically-demanding occupations (including the prison services) the most appropriate way to handle these groups.

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of people who transferred pension rights from the armed forces to the Prison Service who will work for a number of years at the end of their careers without building up any further pension rights; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: No assessment of the number of people who transferred pension rights from the armed forces to the Prison Service has been made. The Cabinet Office's consultation document, "Building a sustainable future", addresses the issue of restrictions on benefits and asks whether we should allow members to build up their pension without limiting them to 40 years' service.

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many serving (a) prison officers and (b) other civil servants will be affected by the changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

David Miliband: The Cabinet Office's consultation document, "Building a sustainable future", proposes that the main changes to the Civil Service Pension arrangements should apply to existing staff from 1 April 2013, but that some changes might apply before then. As at 31 March 2004, there were 617,000 members of the scheme, of which some 27,000 are prison officers. The Scheme Actuary estimates that, of those members who are likely to be in post on 5 April 2006, 420,000 will still be in service in April 2013.

Engagements

Simon Thomas: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11 February 2005.

Tony Blair: I had no official engagements on 11 February 2005.

Aircraft Charters

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent on chartering aircraft in each of the past five years.

Charlotte Atkins: The department was formed in May 2002.
	Travel by Ministers makes clear that special flights may be authorised when a scheduled service is not available, or when it is essential to travel by air, but the requirements of official or parliamentary business or security considerations or urgency preclude the journey being made by a scheduled service. In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list published in 1999 covers the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Where RAF/Private Charter aircraft are used this is shown in the list. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2004–05 will be published in due course.
	In addition, the Department has spent the following on chartering aircraft since its formation:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 0 
			 2003–04 2,893.54 
			 2004–05 5,720.00

Departmental Communication

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on informing hon. Members of key decisions affecting their constituency transport infrastructure.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department's policy is to keep the House of Commons and individual Members informed as appropriate.

Driving Instruction

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines on the Pass Plus course are issued to driving instructors and others involved in driving tuition; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Pass Plus Scheme is a voluntary scheme undertaken by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). On registering as a Pass Plus instructor the ADI receives a Pass Plus starter pack which includes a comprehensive 34 page instructor guide. The guide explains the scheme and sets out the instructors role and the syllabus to be followed.
	The starter pack also contains several copies of a 39 page pupils guide, which explains the scheme and syllabus from the pupil's perspective, training report forms, and copies of a list containing the names of the participating insurance companies. A copy of this information is supplied to the pupil upon entry to the scheme.

Driving Instruction

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics his Department collects for (a) motorway accidents and (b) motorway accidents involving newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport collects detailed statistics on road accidents involving personal injury, including motorway accidents. These are reported in the annual publication "Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report", which can be found on the Department's website. There were 8,746 motorway accidents involving personal injury in 2003. Information on whether drivers in motorway accidents are newly qualified is not collected in this system.

Driving Instruction

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics his Department collects for (a) all road traffic accidents and (b) road traffic accidents involving newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport collects detailed statistics on road accidents involving personal injury. These are reported in the annual publication "Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report", which can be found on the Department's website. There were 214,030 road accidents involving personal injury in 2003. Information on whether drivers are newly qualified is not collected in this system. However, we know from research we have undertaken that one in five new drivers has some sort of accident within one year of passing their driving test. A cohort study of new drivers currently under way will refresh this information.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee for the (i) application of uniform principles on costing for railway undertakings and (ii) harmonisation and comparability of the accounting and annual accounts of railway undertakings met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

Motorcycles

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make provision for Safety Camera Partnerships to fund the Bikesafe scheme when the Motor Cycle Industry Association's grant-aid finishes; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department welcomes the police's initiative in developing the Bikesafe initiative. The Government's Motorcycling Strategy, published on 22 February, recognised that Bikesafe is a legitimate component of roads policing promoting road safety, and police forces have the freedom to devote resources to the scheme.
	The Safety Camera Programme has a specific purpose, provided for in the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001, section 38 Unified power for the Secretary of State to fund speed cameras etc.. The programme provides police forces and highway authorities with extra resources to support the deployment and operation of safety cameras, from the fines for speeding and red light offences detected, over and above their main funding. The resources provided through the programme cannot be used for other purposes, not provided for in the Act.

Road Safety

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the provision of road safety cameras.

David Jamieson: Road safety cameras are operated by local partnerships of police forces and highway authorities, which are provided with additional resources from fine receipts, through the national safety camera programme. Two further partnerships are to join the programme for 200506, Surrey and Merseyside. Following the issue of the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales for 200506 in November 2004, partnerships have submitted their bids for the 200506 programme. Partnerships' bids are now being assessed, and I shall announce the results when the assessment is completed. Copies of the Handbook are in the Libraries of the House.

Road Safety

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Tiredness Kills signs there are on motorways in England; and where they are located.

David Jamieson: The number of Tiredness Kills signs on motorways in England and their locations are:
	
		
			  MSA  Carriageway Number of Signs 
		
		
			 A1(M) Blyth (Southbound only) 1 
			 Ml Leicester Forest East  2 
			 Ml Toddington (Northbound only) 1 
			 Ml Trowell  2 
			 Ml Woodall  2 
			 Ml Wooley Edge  2 
			 M2 Medway  2 
			 M4 Reading  2 
			 M4 Chieveley  2 
			 M5 Cullompton (Northbound only) 1 
			 M5 Exeter  2 
			 M5 Sedgemoor Services  2 
			 M5 Frankley  2 
			 M6 Burton  2 
			 M6 Hilton Park  2 
			 M6 Knutsford  2 
			 M6 Sandbach  2 
			 M6 Southwaite  2 
			 M6 Stafford  2 
			 M6 Tebay  2 
			 M6 Killington  2 
			 M6 Forton  2 
			 M18 Doncaster North  2 
			 M20 Maidstone (Eastbound only) 1 
			 M23 Pease Pottage  2 
			 M25 Thurrock (Southbound only) 1 
			 M40 Cherwell Valley  2 
			 M42 Tamworth  2 
			 M62 Ferrybridge  2 
			 M62 Hartshead Moor  2 
			 M69 Leicester Forest East (Southbound only) 1 
			 Ml80 Doncaster North (Westbound only) 1 
			 Total number of Signs at MSAs 57 
		
	
	These signs, which are usually worded Tiredness Can Kill, Take a Break, are generally provided on the approaches to Motorway Service Areas.

A303 (Stonehenge)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) the Stonehenge visitor centre and (b) the A303(T) Stonehenge tunnel project and Winterbourne Stoke bypass of his decision to delegate the funding decisions to south-west regional bodies.

David Jamieson: holding answer 4 February 2005
	The Secretary of State for Transport, jointly with the First Secretary of State, is currently considering the Inspector's report of the inquiry into the A303 Stonehenge Improvement scheme.
	There are no plans to delegate decisions on transport schemes or their funding to regional bodies. Under the proposals in the consultation document Devolving decision making: a consultation on regional funding allocations the region would be invited to advise Ministers on the relative priority of transport investment proposals on the basis of long-term regional funding guidelines. Copies of the consultation document are available in the House Libraries.

Climate Change

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates the Government has made of the change in global temperatures between 2004 and (a) 2014, (b) 2024 and (c) 2054.

Elliot Morley: Hadley Centre research for the Defra funded UK Climate Prediction Programme forecasts an increase in global temperature of between 0.170.53oC in the coming decade. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Third Assessment Report, stated that temperatures are predicted to increase by 0.41.1oC compared to 1990 levels by 2025, and 0.82.6oC compared to 1990 levels by 2050. Global temperatures have increased by just over 0.2oC since 1990.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Milk and Milk Products met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Milk and Milk Products met:
	(a) 10 times during the Italian presidency, on 10 July, 24 July, 28 August, 11 September, 25 September, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 27 November, and 11 December 2003.
	(b) 12 times during the Irish presidency, on 15 January, 28 and 29 January, 12 February, 26 February, 11 March, 25 March, 15 April, 29 April, 13 May, 27 May, 10 June, and 24 June 2004.
	(c) 10 times during the Dutch presidency, on 15 July, 29 July, 26 August, 16 September, 30 September, 14 October, 28 October, 11 November, 25 November, and 16 December 2004.
	All but one of the meetings was held in Brussels. The meeting of 14 October 2004 held during the Dutch presidency took place in The Hague.
	The UK was represented by officials from Defra's Milk Branch, with representatives from the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland and the Rural Payments Agency attending occasionally when subjects of particular interest were discussed.
	At the meetings the UK has supported the measures taken by the Commission to balance Community milk and milk product markets while taking budgetary considerations into account.
	A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Beef and Veal met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Beef and Veal met:
	(a) 10 times during the Italian presidency, on 11 July (1 DEFRA representative attended), 25 July (1), 29 August (1), 12 September (2), 26 September (1), 17 October (1), 31 October (1), 14 November (2), 28 November (2), and 12 December (2).
	(b) 10 times during the Irish presidency, on 16 January (2), 13 February (2), 27 February (2), 12 March (2), 25 March (2), 15 April (3), 29 April (1), 28 May (1), 11 June (1), and 22 June (2).
	(c) 7 times during the Dutch presidency, on 16 July (1), 30 July (2), 17 September (1), 27 September (1), 15 October (2), 26 November (1), and 17 December (1).
	All of the meetings were held in Brussels. The UK were represented by officials from the appropriate division of Defra. The number of representatives for each meeting is shown in brackets above.
	A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Sheep and Goats met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Sheep and Goats met:
	(a) Twice during the Italian presidency, on 21 November (1 Defra representative attended) and on 12 December (2).
	(b) Once during the Irish presidency, on 13 February (2).
	(c) Twice during the Dutch presidency, on 16 July (1) and on 26 November (1).
	All meetings were held in Brussels. The UK were represented by officials from the appropriate division of Defra. The number of representatives for each meeting is shown in brackets above.
	A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee (i) for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress and implementation of the Directives on waste, (ii) on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste and (iii) for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC) for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) Directives met on the following 12 occasions: During the Italian presidency (from July to December 2003) 11 July, 16 September, 26 November, 17 December, during the Irish presidency (from January to June 2004) 27 January, 3 March, 17 March, 10 June, 28 June and during the Dutch presidency (from July to December 2004) 20 July, 22 October, 10 December. UK experts from Defra and DTI were present and a detailed summary of these discussions, including unofficial meeting notes, may be found on the internet at the following website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/index.htm
	TAC meetings for Packaging and Packaging Waste took place in Brussels during the Italian presidency on 30 October 2003 and included two UK experts, both from DTI. On 16 April 2004 a second meeting was held which included UK experts from both of DTI and Defra.
	There were no TAC meetings held in relation to End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) during the Italian presidency. During the Irish presidency two meetings were held on 14 January and 10 June 2004. During the Dutch presidency there was a single meeting held on 2 December 2004. In these instances a DTI official represented the UK.
	There were no meetings of the TAC on the sewage sludge Directive during the Italian, Irish or Dutch presidencies.

Flooding

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which body is responsible in the event of flooding in a watercourse for which an internal drainage board is responsible (a) before 2006 and (b) after 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: All watercourses effectively fall into one of two categories: (a) main rivers which are the responsibility of the Environment Agency and (b) ordinary watercourses which are the responsibility of local authorities or, where they exist, internal drainage boards.
	Recognising that some ordinary watercourses create significant flood risk, in March 2003 the Government announced that all the so called critical ordinary watercourses (COWs) would become the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA). This transfer of responsibility is in progress and will be completed by April 2006.
	Once a COW has been transferred, it becomes a main river and the EA assumes full responsibility for all associated flood risk management and for dealing with any flooding from it. However, all other ordinary watercourses will remain the responsibility of the local authority or internal drainage board.
	While the EA will retain the overall responsibility for the transferred COWs, they may decide to contract back maintenance and other work to the appropriate local authority or IDB where these bodies are willing to take this on and have a good track record.

Land Degradation

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to reverse long-term land degradation.

Elliot Morley: A wide range of measures address land condition. Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 was brought into force in April 2000 to address in particular the legacy of historic contamination, where this poses unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Local authorities are now identifying contaminated land in their area, and ensuring that appropriate remedial action is taken.
	Such remediation also takes place as part and parcel of the development of land, and is secured through the planning system, which aims to encourage the redevelopment and beneficial re-use of previously developed land. Last autumn, new planning guidance (PPS23Planning and Pollution Control) was issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which aims to assist in the remediation of contaminated land through the process of development. A new Land Restoration Trust has been set up.
	We have published a Soil Action Plan to help tackle the various risks and threats to soil. The plan is informed by key European initiatives such as the Water Framework Directive and work towards a European Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection. The EU Thematic Strategy identifies contamination, erosion and organic matter as three priority issues for soils and is also developing overarching plans for soil monitoring and R and D.
	Under the Single Payment Scheme land managers are required to demonstrate that they are keeping the land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). GAEC standards, set specifically for England, apply to soil management and protection and to the maintenance of habitats and landscape features.
	In the built environment soil degradation and erosion caused by construction activities can be a serious issue, particularly in terms of pollution of water resources. Defra is working with the construction industry to identify and address gaps in knowledge.
	Within the suite of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), notified for their conservation importance in England, degraded habitats will be addressed by our PSA target to have 95 per cent. of the SSSI area in favourable condition by 2010.
	Defra will shortly be launching the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme which will replace the existing Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes. The new scheme will focus on natural resource protection, in addition to the primary objectives of the existing schemes, namely wildlife conservation; maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality and character; protection of the historic environment; and the promotion of access of the countryside. This will include measures to help protect watercourses and sensitive habitats by reducing diffuse pollution and soil erosion.

Rural Bus Services

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was given in grants to rural bus services by the Countryside Agency in each year since 1997; and what plans she has to continue such grants.

Margaret Beckett: The Countryside Agency has undertaken a variety of time-linked pilot programmes on behalf of Government and has contributed to rural bus services on our behalf through the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes. The Agency's database does not record information to distinguish funding for rural bus services from other grants to support other local transport needs within those schemes. Information about grants made in 199798, made by the Countryside Agency's predecessor, the Countryside Commission, is no longer available.
	In 200405, the Department for Transport is making 51 million available for rural bus services through Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to bus companies and local authorities to maintain services which would otherwise be uneconomic. This is an increase from 48.5 million in 200304. The Department for Transport's annual Rural Bus Challenge competitions have also made a total of 301 awards amounting to 110 million over the last six years.
	Since 1999 grants given each year to local transport initiatives in rural areas through the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport Grant schemes are as follows:
	
		
			 million 
			  Rural transport partnership scheme(1) Parish transport scheme(1) Total 
		
		
			 199899 (1)0.3 (1)1.6 (1)1.9 
			 19992000 (1)1.3 (1)2.0 (1)3.3 
			 200001 (1)2.8 (1)2.0 (1)4.8 
			 200102 7.1 0.3 7.4 
			 200203 13.1 0.9 14.0 
			 200304 12.5 1.0 13.5 
			 200405 (2) (2) (3)11.3 
			 Total   (3)56.2 
		
	
	(1) Funding until 2001 from the Countryside Commission's Rural Transport Partnership scheme and Rural Transport Development Fund.
	(2) Figure not yet available.
	(3) To date.
	On 1 April 2004, the Countryside Agency closed the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes to new grant applications although existing commitments will continue to be met.
	From 1 April 2005, Defra will devolve delivery of economic and social regeneration policies to the Regional Development Agencies. This includes areas of activity such as those formerly covered by the Countryside Agency's transport schemes. We have also charged the Regional Development Agencies with contributing to the delivery of our Public Service Agreement target to improve the accessibility of services for people in rural England. In recognition of their larger role in the delivery of Defra's policies, Defra has given the Regional Development Agencies an additional 21.3 million per annum for the years 200506 to 200708.
	We are discussing with the Regional Development Agencies what they will deliver and how it will be measured, to be included in their Tasking Framework. Defra expects them, in partnership with local government and others, to ensure that the needs of people in rural communities are addressed, through regional level strategies and delivery. But it will be for each Development Agency to determine the priorities for its region and, through their corporate plans, how they will achieve their agreed outcomes.

Salt Marshes (Lymington)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects a specific defence option to protect the salt marshes of Lymington from erosion to be approved; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. Defra funds most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. To qualify for Defra funding proposals must satisfy essential technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieve the relevant priority score for the year in which work is programmed to start.
	The Government encourages operating authorities to take a strategic approach to the provision of flood and coastal defences and they are required to consider a range of defence options. New Forest district council (NFDC), the local coast protection authority, is currently undertaking the West Solent Strategy Study and the area covered extends from Hurst Spit to Calshot Spit including the Lymington salt marsh. NFDC is, I understand, carrying out a public consultation exercise that will inform the options to be evaluated in the study.
	NFDC's medium term plan includes work planned in Lymington where the council propose to reduce the rate of salt marsh erosion but I hope you understand that, until the West Solent Strategy Study is complete and until the council has submitted proposals for coast protection work in Lymington, I cannot comment on options for work.

Sudan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) European Union and (b) African Union counterparts on how to ensure the safety of aid workers in Sudan.

Chris Mullin: I would like to apologise for the delay in replying.
	We are greatly concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and deplore the recent deaths of the Save the Children UK and Mdecins Sans Frontires aid workers.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the African Union (AU) Chairman, President Obasanjo on 22 December. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and I met, separately, with AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Said Djinnet, in London on 21 December. We are working with the AU, both bilaterally and through the EU, to improve security in Darfur for aid workers and the civilian population.
	We also regularly raise the issue of security, and the resultant effects on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with EU partners. The Foreign Secretary last discussed this issue with EU counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 December.

China (Military Technology)

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assurances he gave to US Senator Lugar regarding EU restrictions on arms sales to prevent sensitive US technologies being diverted to China.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 28 February 2005
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Senator Lugar, in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, during his visit to Washington on 24 January. They briefly discussed the EU's controls on arms exports to China.
	With regard to the ongoing review of the EU's arms embargo on China, the Foreign Secretary noted the conclusion reached at the European Council in December 2004 That
	the result of any decision should not be an increase of arms exports from EU Member States to China, either in quantative nor in qualitative terms.
	As the Foreign Secretary told the Committee on Strategic Export Controls on 12 January, the US has a legitimate and understandable interest both in the effectiveness of the EU's system of arms control and in the stability of the East Asian region. The review of the EU Arms Embargo, and any decisions arising from it are, of course, for the EU alone. But the EU will take all relevant factors into account.

Iraq Survey Group

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds the Government have refused to publish the letters of Dr. Rod Barton of the Iraq Survey Group concerning weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Denis MacShane: The Government have not received any formal request to publish Dr. Barton's letters.

Religious Organisations (EC Funding)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those religious organisations that are in receipt of financial support from the European Communities.

Denis MacShane: The Commission does not provide core funding for any religious organisations. Some cross-faith bodies and religious linked NGOs have received EU grants to carry out specific projects.
	The Commission does not maintain a list of religious organisations to which grants have been made, but selected projects for 2003 and 2004 can be found at the following URLs:
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education culture/ong/sele2004.pdf
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education culture/ong/sele2003.pdf
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat general/subvention/doc/subv-sg-accordees 2003 en.pdf

Turkish Cypriot Elections

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Turkish Cypriot elections on 20th February.

Bill Rammell: We believe this outcome reflects the Turkish Cypriot Community's on-going desire to work for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Annan Plan and to realise in full the benefits of EU membership.

Economic Growth

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on trends in economic growth in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 1 March 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about economic growth in the Jarrow, South Tyneside, the North East and the UK. I am replying in his absence. (218253)
	Jarrow constituency is in Tyneside (NUTS3 area), which is currently the lowest geographic level at which regional Gross Value Added 1 (GVA) is published.
	The GVA estimates in table A and GVA growth rates in table B are based on regional GVA published in December 2004. Regional GVA data are at current prices and therefore do not take inflation into account. GVA for the United Kingdom and North East (NUTS1 area) have been published up to 2003. GVA for Tyneside (NUTS3 area) has been published up to 2002. These data are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=7359
	1 Information presented here is Gross Value Added (GVA) which is Gross Domestic Product (GDP) less taxes (plus subsidies) on products.
	
		Table A: Gross Value Added ( million) 19972003
		
			 Area 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Tyneside 8,680 9,181 9,568 9,982 10,625 11,211 n/a 
			 North East 25,253 26,219 26,959 27,910 29,287 30,655 32,340 
			 United Kingdom 719,565 761,539 797,116 838,490 881,163 926,275 976,148 
		
	
	
		Table B: Percentage year on year growth of Gross Value Added 19982003
		
			 Area 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Tyneside 5.8 4.2 4.3 6.4 5.5 n/a 
			 North East 3.8 2.8 3.5 4.9 4.7 5.5 
			 United Kingdom 5.8 4.7 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.4

Employment Statistics

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the average age of women employed within the (a) manufacturing and (b) service sector was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the average age of people employed within the (a) manufacturing industry and (b) service sector was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(3)  how many women have been employed within the (a) manufacturing industry and (b) service sector in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 1 March 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about employment. (218249, 218250, 218251)
	Tables 1 to 3 provide the available information. In the cases of the tables for average ages of women and of all employees, figures are available for the years 1999 to 2004 but not for 1997 and 1998.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the Labour Force Survey are subject to sampling variability.
	
		Table 1: Women employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas thousands Thousand
		
			 12 months ending February 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Manufacturing sector(5) 
			 Jarrow Constituency 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 
			 South Tyneside 4 4 4 3 2 3 3 2 
			 North East 55 55 52 47 41 46 44 37 
			 United Kingdom 1,253 1,277 1,271 1,162 1,115 1,119 1,046 950 
			  
			 Service sector(5) 
			 Jarrow Constituency 12 13 13 14 13 14 15 14 
			 South Tyneside 23 22 22 23 23 23 25 25 
			 North East 393 391 389 398 411 418 421 431 
			 United Kingdom 8,979 9,389 9,599 9,601 9,924 10,209 10,380 10,547 
		
	
	(5) Manufacturing and service sectors are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992
	Note:
	Some of these estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 2: Average age of women employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas Years(7)
		
			 12 months ending February 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Manufacturing sector(6)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 35 41 38 37 39 39 
			 South Tyneside 35 39 37 39 39 42 
			 North East 36 37 37 38 38 40 
			 United Kingdom 38 38 38 39 39 40 
			
			 Service sector(6)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 36 37 39 39 39 39 
			 South Tyneside 38 38 39 38 38 39 
			 North East 38 38 39 38 39 39 
			 United Kingdom 38 38 38 39 39 39 
		
	
	(6) Manufacturing and service sectors.
	(7) Ages are given in completed years are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.
	Note:
	Some of these estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 3: Average age of all employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas Years(9)
		
			 12 months ending February 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Manufacturing sector(8)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 37 37 37 38 40 42 
			 South Tyneside 37 37 38 39 40 43 
			 North East 38 37 39 39 39 40 
			 United Kingdom 39 39 39 40 40 40 
			
			 Service sector(8)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 36 38 39 39 39 38 
			 South Tyneside 38 38 38 38 38 38 
			 North East 38 38 38 38 38 39 
			 United Kingdom 38 38 38 38 39 39 
		
	
	(8) Manufacturing and service sectors are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.
	(9) Ages are given in completed years.
	Note:
	Some of these estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey

Health Expenditure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the UK's GDP was spent on health in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) public and (b) private expenditure; and what estimate he has made of the current EU average health expenditure as a proportion of GDP.

Paul Boateng: The information about UK health spending is in the following table.
	According to the latest figures from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), average total health expenditure in the EU in 2002 was 8.5 per cent. of GDP.
	
		UK Health expenditure as a percentage of GDP
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Public Expenditure 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.6 6.0 6.3 6.7 6.9 
			 Private expenditure 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 
			 Total UK expenditure 6.7 6.8 6.8 7.0 7.3 7.7 8.1 8.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The public expenditure figures are taken from the National Statistics release of 2 December 2004.
	2. Private spending is calculated in a similar way as for ONS Health Accounts. From 200304, it is assumed to carry forward as a constant share of GDP.
	3. The EU figure is a simple average of the then 15 EU countries; it is not weighted by country population.

Malaria Vaccines

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreements with the private sector he has reached since his announcement on 24 November 2004 on the advance purchases of malaria vaccines; and what deadline he has set for these agreements to be reached.

Stephen Timms: The Chancellor announced last November that the UK Government, working with other Governments, was ready to enter into legally binding advance purchase contracts in order to speed up the development of malaria vaccines. The UK intends to take this forward during the course of its Presidency of the G7/8 and as a first step, at their meeting in London in February, G7 Finance Ministers agreed to explore the use of advance purchase commitments. The UK Government will also continue to consult stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry, on the parameters of these contracts.

Near Cash

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition he uses of near cash.

Paul Boateng: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) on 5 July 2004, Official Report, columns 60001W.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply substantively to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 7 February, reference 215780.

Dawn Primarolo: I did so on 23 February.

Savings

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the Savings Gateway in each of the first five years after its launch.

Stephen Timms: In the pre-Budget report the Chancellor announced the launch of the larger Saving Gateway pilot for 2005. Evidence gathered through this pilot will be used to evaluate the future role matching could play in Government support for savings, both for those on low incomes and more generally. The new pilot will cost 15 million and all accounts opened will last for 18 months.

Tax Credits

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Stroud constituency have been required to pay back overpayments of (a) working tax credit, (b) child tax credit and (c) both working and child tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: Details of how overpayments are recovered are provided in the Inland Revenue's Code of Practice 26 What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit. Wherever practical overpayments are recovered out of future tax credit payments. Where entitlement has ended and there remains an overpayment to be recovered, the Inland Revenue issues claimants with a 'Notice to Pay'. Within the guidelines of Code of Practice 26 the claimant has the option to choose to pay back an overpayment over 12 months.
	Information on the number of households in Stroud sent notices to pay is not available.

Low Income Countries (Expenditure)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much each low income country has spent on (a) health, (b) education and (c) debt repayment in each year since 2001.

Hilary Benn: The latest World Bank 'World Development Indicators' report (2004) shows health expenditure per capita and health expenditure as a percentage of GDP for each country in the world where data is available (Table 2.14). The most recent data are for 2001. I have arranged for a document entitled 'Tables for Parliamentary Question UIN 218158' to be deposited in the Libraries of the House. This contains a table on health spend taken from the World Development Indicators online database to which DFID subscribes. Data can also be accessed on line at http://www.worldbank.org/data/databytopic/health. html. Select 'Go to Health Topic Indicators' and then the countries or country groupings of interest.
	The hard copy of the World Development Indicators report (2004) also has in Table 2.10, data on education inputs. This table can be downloaded from http://www.worldbank.org/data/databytopic/education.html This shows the percentage of total government expenditure on education (200102) and public expenditure per primary, secondary and tertiary student (199091 and 200102). A copy of the table will be deposited in the Library in the document mentioned previously; 'Tables for Parliamentary Question UIN 218158'.
	Information on debt repayment is available in another World Bank publication 'Global Development Finance'. The latest edition is from 2004. 'Net flows and transfers on debt' are shown in Table 5 of Volume II of this report, which gives 'country tables'. This table shows average data for the period 19972001 and data for 2002. It will also be deposited in the Library of the House in the document 'Tables for Parliamentary Question UIN 218158'. It is available online from: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/RESEARCH/EXTPROSPECTS/GDFEXT/GDFEXT2004/0,,contentMDK:20177059~ menuPK:335441~paqePK:64097019~piPK:64096667~ theSitePK:335432.00.html
	An IMF publication 'Government Finance Statistics' provides more data which should allow direct comparison of government expenditure on health and education. This document is available in the House of Commons Library.
	Hard copies of all the reports mentioned above are available in the House of Commons Library.

Tsunami (Military Assistance)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to his Department is of hiring (a) a UK military plane and (b) an equivalent commercial plane to deliver an equivalent consignment of aid from London to (i) Indonesia, (ii) Sri Lanka and (iii) Thailand; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: No date, no single route has been served by both a military and a civilian plane on DFID's behalf. Calculations of costs per task are based upon the flying time between the two locations. There are other variables such as airport handling charges but these would be common to both military and civilian charter or repositioning costs. In comparing costs of military and civilian aircraft carrying out similar tasks with the same payload, the best comparator is the rate charged per flying hour. For the C-17, tasked by DFID to transport relief items to countries affected by the Indian Ocean disaster, the MOD quoted an hourly flying rate of approximately 1,975.
	There are no direct civilian equivalents of military aircraft and payloads are different, but the approximate rate for the civilian aircraft Antonov 124 is 4,225, 795 for the Ilyushin-76 and 483 for the Antonov 12. The C-17 has a payload of 75 tonnes; the Atonov 124 has a payload of 120 tonnes, the Ilyushin-76, 40 tonnes and the Antonov 12,15 tonnes.

EC-United States of America Joint Committee

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the EC-United States of America Joint Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	The EU-US Task Force met on 18 July 2003 in Rome, 27 October 2003 in Washington, 14 January 2004 in Dublin, 2 March 2004 in Washington, 23 March 2004 in Brussels, 6 May 2004 in Brussels, 26 May 2004 in Brussels, 14 July 2004 in Brussels and 26 October 2004 in Brussels. The Senior Level Group met on 25 September 2003 in Brussels, 12 November 2003 in Washington, 10 February 2004 in Brussels, 3 June 2004 in Brussels, 25 June 2004 in Dromoland 28 September 2004 in Washington and 6 December 2004 in Brussels. The presidency of the day represents other member states at these meetings and as such there were no British officials present at these meetings. Further information may be found at www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

Education Spending

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will break down by project the activities to support all objectives in Annex B of the Resource Budget of the 2004 Annual Report; if she will provide a similar breakdown for the 2003 Annual Report; and if she will estimate the corresponding expenditure for each year until 200708.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 28 February 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to Chapter 2 of the same document which provides a more detailed breakdown of how the money is to be spent and to the subsequent chapters which describe the plans in detail. The 2004 Annual report includes earlier years and plans to 200506. Detailed plans beyond that date have not yet been finalised. Annex B and Chapter 2 present figures on slightly different bases as Annex B includes expenditure with the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) whereas Chapter 2 refers only to DEL. Within the figures in Annex B the Teachers' Pension Scheme is totally in AME as is the Educational Maintenance Allowance scheme from 200304 onwards. The small balancing activity to reconcile to the AME total shown in Annex B is in Further Education, Adult Learning and Skills and Lifelong Learning 'Other'.
	The Department does not account on a project basis, the majority of programmes are delivered through partners such as LEAs, NDPBs and other grant recipients and it is their responsibility to control delivery.

Home Start

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on Home Start in Chorley; and what funding can be accessed by Home Start in Chorley.

Margaret Hodge: Home Start Chorley was established in 1996. In 200304 the scheme supported 270 families and a total of 421 children.
	The scheme is mainly funded through a national lottery grant with additional funding from the local primary care trust and social services department. The Department for Education and Skills funds Home Start UK at a national level but does not fund individual local schemes. Home Start UK's regional consultants coordinate Funding, Strategic Planning and Financial workshops and an annual regional forum to update schemes on current practice and available funding opportunities. Additionally, funding updates are provided at quarterly regional and six monthly chair's meetings.

Morecambe and Lunesdale (Funding)

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places have been created in Morecambe and Lunesdale since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Morecambe and Lunesdale. However, from April 1999 to March 2004 Lancashire local authority increased the number of child care places in Lancashire by 9,826 registered and unregistered places. The registered child care places in Lancashire in March 2004 was 26,391 places.

School Meals

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the average cost of the food content of school meals; and if she will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Local education authorities publish details in their annual budget statements of sums delegated to schools for school meal provision, but this information does not include a breakdown detailing the sum allocated in respect of school meal ingredient costs. We cannot, therefore, provide the information requested. However, we are considering whether any changes are needed in the context of our future plans for improving the quality of school meals, which include stricter nutritional standards from 2006 and a school food trust.

Sickness Absence

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what initiatives her Department is taking to reduce the numbers of sick days taken by staff in the Department.

Derek Twigg: My Department is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and is working towards meeting the recommendations of the recently published report, Managing Attendance in the Public Sector.
	Managers are responsible for day to day sickness absence management. Absence data for each employee are recorded centrally and monitoring arrangements are in place that trigger when formal action must be taken. The Department's HR Business Partners work closely with managers to identify trends and problem areas and deliver tailored support and solutions. A pilot scheme is running bringing occupational health nurse advisers to headquarters buildings on a regular basis to provide advice and support on sickness absence. Sickness absence statistics are reported annually to Cabinet Office.
	Other action taken to improve sickness absence rates include: introducing health awareness programmes, with screening for cholesterol and high blood pressure, to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle options; and a variety of fitness programmes available to staff. On National No Smoking Day, we will announce a package of support for smokers who want to quit as part of our commitment to become a smoke free workplace by 2006. Systems and practices are being developed, in line with HSE guidance, to help prevent work-related stress occurring.

Sure Start

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on (a) the operation of the Sure Start programme in Gloucestershire, and (b) planned further schemes.

Margaret Hodge: Gloucestershire has two Sure Start local programmes.
	Sure Start Barton, Tredworth and White City was approved in October 2000 and supports around 900 young children and their families living in these areas. Sure Start Cheltenham was approved in February 2003 and supports around 740 young children and their families living in the Hester's Way and Oakley, Whaddon, Lynmouth and Priors area of the district. Barton, Tredworth and White City Sure Start Local Programme have spent 1,214,000 on their capital projects and Cheltenham Sure Start Local Programme have had approximately half of their 1,075,000 capital allocation approved for specific projects in the area.
	Both programmes deliver a wide range of child, family health and parental support services. Recent Sure Start Unit monitoring reports for the month September 2004 show that Sure Start Barton, Tredworth and White City saw around 35 per cent. of children that month and has visited all of families with newborn babies within the first two months of their child's life. Sure Start Cheltenham has visited around 70 per cent. of families with newborn babies within the first two months of their child's life. Evidence of impact from local evaluation of the Sure Start Barton, Tredworth and White City programme also shows that from a baseline of 51 per cent. of mothers breastfeeding at birth, the rate is now 57 per cent. The programme has also reported that activities associated with the 'Improving and Learning' objective has resulted in a 30 per cent. increase in the use of library services.
	There is one mini Sure Start local programme (Dursley and Cam) in Stroud which was approved in December 2002. The programme received a revenue grant in 200405 of 100,000 to support the delivery of outreach and health services, family support and adult education. This programme is linked to a 50 place neighbourhood nursery (Treetops Nursery) in Dursley with additional outreach and family support being delivered from Rednock Community Centre in Dursley and from GL11 Community Project in Cam. Sure Start has contributed 256,000 in capital funding towards the nursery's integrated education and care facilities. We are also providing start up revenue grant funds of 270,000, available over three years to help ensure the Nursery is firmly established. This is being developed into a children's centre and is expected to be designated by March 2006. The children's centre will reach children and families in Dursley, Cam East and Cam West wards.
	Gloucestershire has five neighbourhood nurseries delivering 190 new early education and childcare places. Gardners Lane Early Excellence Centre in Cheltenham was approved in 2002. It has received a revenue grant of 242,150 in 200405 and will continue to receive this level in 200506. It has had a one-off capital grant of 376,100. This centre is also being developed into a children's centre.
	Gloucestershire county council is planning to create eight children's centres by April 2006. The locations of these children's centres are as follows: Treetops children's centre in Dursley ward; Hesters Way children's centre building on existing provision from the Cheltenham Sure Start local programme and the neighbourhood nursery in Hesters Way ward; Bartongate children's centre building on existing provision from Barton, Tredworth and White City Sure Start Local programme and the Neighbourhood Nursery in the Eastgate ward in Gloucester; Finlay children's centre building from the Gloucester Sure Start Local Programme on a school site and covering the Barton and Tredworth ward; Gardners Lane children's centre building on the Early Excellence centre and reaching those in the wards of St. Peter's, St. Paul's, Lower High Street and Swindon Village; Robinswood children's centre building from the Early Years centre in the Matson ward; Rowanfield children's centre building on Rowanfield Infants School in St. Mark's ward and Linden children's centre building on Linden Primary School covering Moreland and Westgate wards.
	These centres will reach 4,731 children under five resident in the areas. 176 new child care places will mean that 469 full-time child care places are available within the eight areas. Gloucestershire have been given indicative allocations of 1 million for capital development and 355,000 of revenue funding for the development of these children's centres.

Iraq

William Cash: To ask the Solicitor-General what involvement (a) the Lord Chancellor and (b) Baroness Morgan had in preparation of the reply to the parliamentary question tabled by the hon. Member for Stone to the Prime Minister on 11 March 2003 on the legal basis for military intervention in Iraq to which the Attorney-General referred in evidence to the Butler Inquiry on 5 May 2004; and if she will make a statement.

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Solicitor-General where and in what buildings, the written statement made to Parliament on 17 March 2003 setting out the legal basis for the war in Iraq was prepared; and by whom.

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  what discussions the Attorney-General had with respect to drafting the written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA2;
	(2)  what advice the Attorney-General received, and from whom, prior to the writing of the written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA2;
	(3)  whether the Attorney-General's written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA2, was written by the Attorney-General.

Harriet Harman: The Attorney-General's written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 515W, which I relayed to the House, was drawn up in the office of the Attorney-General. Those involved were the Attorney-General and myself, two officials in our office, three officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Christopher Greenwood QC. The draft was also discussed with the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg. The Attorney-General was fully involved throughout the drafting process and personally finalised and approved the answer.
	No other Minister or official was involved. In particular, neither Baroness Morgan of Huyton nor Lord Falconer of Thoroton, nor any official in the Prime Minister's office had any involvement whatever in the drafting of the answer. The Attorney-General has never said that they did so. As the Attorney-General has always made clear, he set out in the answer his own genuinely held, independent view that military action was lawful under the existing Security Council resolutions.

Consultants

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed in the NHS on the latest date for which figures are available; how many were employed in 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 February 2005
	The latest data available is at June 2004.
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): medical and dental consultants
		
			 England 1 Whole time equivalents 
		
		
			 September 1997 19,661 
			 June 2004 27,640 
		
	
	(10) Data as at 30 September 1997 and 30 June 2004.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
	The number of whole-time equivalent consultants working in the National Health Service increased by 7,979 or 41 per cent., between September 1997 and June 2004. The number of specialist registrars has also increased significantly over recent years and these doctors will become the consultants of the future.

Continuing Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much has been paid to date by his Department to individuals or their families where it has been found that they were inappropriately charged for NHS continuing care since 1996;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 24 January to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford to question reference 210193, if he will list by each strategic health authority (SHA) the number of complaints each SHA has investigated on allegations of individuals being inappropriately denied funding for continuing care at (a) December 2003, (b) March 2004 and (c) July 2004; and if he will list in each case (i) the number and percentage of completed investigations and (ii) the number of cases eligible for payment as of July 2004.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 1 February 2005
	The exact amount of restitution paid to date is not known centrally. However, we estimate the figure to reach 180 million by the end of the process.
	With regard to the number of complaints investigated, I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 16 September 2004, Official Report, column 175WS. That statement provides the latest available statistics, including the most up to date information on the numbers of cases eligible for payment. Further to this information, the table shows details of the number of requests for retrospective funding investigations received between 31 March and 31 July 2004 and the total number of retrospective cases completed by the 31 July 2004.
	
		
			   Strategic health authority name Number of requests for retrospective funding investigations between 31 March and 31 July Total number of retrospective funding investigations completed by 31 July 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 110 608 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 30 132 
			 Essex 20 209 
			 North West London 17 209 
			 North Central London 46 101 
			 North East London 23 169 
			 South East London 36 246 
			 South West London 25 182 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 35 202 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 23 223 
			 North and East Yorkshire and North Lincs 46 302 
			 West Yorkshire 42 177 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 75 419 
			 Greater Manchester 66 285 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 103 651 
			 Thames Valley 39 195 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 74 544 
			 Kent and Medway 65 280 
			 Surrey and Sussex 137 555 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire And Wiltshire 109 857 
			 South West Peninsula 49 533 
			 Dorset And Somerset 76 429 
			 South Yorkshire 26 197 
			 Trent 81 395 
			 Leics, Northants And Rutland 31 245 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 37 432 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 37 278 
			 West Midlands South 41 275

Departmental Policies (Rochdale)

Lorna Fitzsimons: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the Rochdale constituency, the effect on Rochdale of his Department's policies and actions since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The Government has put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the Rochdale constituency.
	For example:
	In March 1997 1 , there were 431 patients waiting more than 12 months for in-patient treatment and 2,283 waiting nine to 11 months. Latest figures show 1,202 waiting six to eight months and nobody waiting more than nine months.
	In March 1997 1 , there were 3,587 patients waiting more than 13 weeks for out-patient treatment. Latest figures show 1,183 waiting more than 13 weeks.
	The latest published figures show that 94.9 per cent. of patients spend less than four hours in the accident and emergency department. In September 2002, the figure was 78.3 per cent. and in September 2003, the figure was 92.3 per cent.
	99.8 per cent. of urgent referrals for suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks.
	A total of 811,000 has been provided from the cancer plan central capital allocation for a scanner, as part of the 50 extra scanners across England. This magnetic resonance imaging scanner will become operational for patients in summer 2005 at the Rochdale Infirmary and is expected to increase the annual number of scans from 7,800 to 11,000.
	A new mobile catheter laboratory funded by the New Opportunity Fund will be based at Rochdale Infirmary from March 2005. The laboratory will expand the facilities available at the cardiology unit enabling an additional 1,800 angiograms to be carried out in a full year.
	Work is commencing to convert a ward at Rochdale Infirmary to a 500,000 16-station renal dialysis unit which is due to open in May 2005.
	1 Figures from 1997 are the sum of the figures for the preceding NHS trusts (Oldham NHS trust, Rochdale healthcare NHS trust, North Manchester healthcare NHS trust and Bury healthcare NHS trust) to their merger in 2002 to form the Pennine acute hospitals NHS trust.

MRI Scans

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2005, Official Report, columns 1337W, on MRI scans, what funding has been identified to cover additional diagnostic services; and what progress has been made towards the plans for phase two of the independent sector procurement programme.

John Hutton: holding answer 23 February 2005
	135 billion of investment in the national health service will be allocated to English primary care trusts for 200607 and 200708 to ensure the NHS continues to deliver improvements in patient care. This includes a 1 billion independent sector procurement programme to ensure that NHS patients will get speedier access to high quality diagnostic tests, including magnetic resonance imaging scans. The Department will issue an advertisement inviting expressions of interest soon.

NHS Reference Costs

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS reference costs are the costs for (a) all treatments, (b) elective and day care and (c) critical care services were for the Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust in the latest financial year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 February 2005
	The following data is available from the Reference Costs 2003 data, relating to the financial year 200203 and is the most current available.
	
		Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust
		
			   Percentage of total cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 
		
		
			 Total cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 ['All treatments'] 111,447,007 0.38 
			 Total elective and day case cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 16,655,187 0.06 
			 Total critical care services cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 4,669,228 0.02 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data exclude activity and costs reported using HRG codes with a T' prefix. These were never ratified by the respective Royal Colleges.
	2. Data represent total costs of treatment provided to NHS patients from NHS resources. They include the cost to the NHS of providing services in-house, and the cost of sub-contracting activity to non-NHS providers.
	3. 'All treatments' reflect the total cost reported by Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust, with the exception of those detailed in note one above.
	4. The definition of day care activity is too broad to be recognised by Reference Costs. Where applicable, day case activity has been provided.
	5. Elective and day case costs specifically exclude elective in-patient excess bed days.
	6. Percentage figures are calculated on total cost as reported in Reference Costs 2003, for all providers, approximately 33 billion.

Patients (Leicestershire)

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) in-patients and (b) out-patients were treated in Leicestershire in each year between 199293 and the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		1. Count of finished in-patient admission episodes for selected providers national health service hospitals, 199394 to 200304
		
			  NHS Trust 
			  Leicester General Hospital Leicester Royal Infirmary Glenfield Hospital University Hospitals of Leicester Leicestershire Mental Health Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare Leicestershire Partnership 
		
		
			 199394 44,956 83,442 19,078  
			 199495 28,141 80,748 18,424  11,332
			 199596 42,039 85,973 22,489  3,519 11,070   
			 199697 43,357 100,931 24,008  3,793 11,707   
			 199798 45,875 103,626 22,338  2,239 9,683   
			 199899 49,313 111,885 25,914  4,212 9,658   
			 19992000 51,315 114,423 27,68615,142  
			 200001182,101   8,046  
			 200102199,980   9,571  
			 200203201,1554,557 
			 200304209,6564,404 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	3. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust was formed on 1 April 2000 following the merger of Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust, and Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust. Leicestershire Mental Health Service NHS Trust was established in 1993 and dissolved in April 1999. Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community NHS Trust was established in1994 and dissolved in April 1999. Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust was established 1 January 1999. The new trust replaced the Leicestershire Mental Health Service and the Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community NHS Trusts. Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust was established in April 2002. The new trust came into being when it changed its name from Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust to Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics (HES), Department of Health.
	
		2. Count of first out-patient attendances for selected providers NHS hospitals, 199394 to 200304 outlined in the HES extract for Leicestershire
		
			  NHS Trust 
			  Leicester General Hospital Leicester Royal Infirmary Glenfield Hospital University Hospitals of Leicester Leicestershire Mental Health Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare Leicestershire Partnership 
		
		
			 199394 25,286 74,586 17,508  
			 199495 27,753 80,022 19,253  3,742
			 199596 26,000 83,415 22,891  4,629 36,125   
			 199697 25,950 87,905 26,528  5,503 39,187   
			 199798 26,598 92,317 28,098  5,669 36,737   
			 199899 26,591 96,116 30,204  6,728 35,413   
			 19992000 27,757 101,379 26,48036,611  
			 200001161,329   38,399  
			 200102177,380   16,257  
			 200203178,0788,728 
			 200304173,84910,901 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health KH09 and QMOP monitoring returns.

Sun

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  on what published scientific evidence the Government's recommendations to the public concerning exposure to sunlight are based, with particular reference to (a) exposure at peak hours and (b) using sunscreen;
	(2)  whether the public health consequences of sunlight exposure have been recently reviewed; and whether new guidelines have been published;
	(3)  what steps the Government has taken to inform the public of the effects on vitamin D status of measures that may be taken to reduce the risk of skin cancer;
	(4)  what evidential sources the Chief Medical Officer based his Better Health advice on exposure to the sun; and what account he took of consequential effects on vitamin D levels;
	(5)  what research he has commissioned on whether those who follow the advice on avoiding exposure to the sun at peak hours and using sunscreen would obtain sufficient vitamin D;
	(6)  what steps the Department has taken over the last 10 years to inform the public that exposure of skin to sunlight is necessary to provide vitamin D;
	(7)  what research his Department has evaluated concerning whether casual exposure of the hands and face to sunlight at British latitudes provides sufficient vitamin D for optimum health.

Melanie Johnson: Skin cancer is the second most common cancer in the United Kingdom, with about 40,500 cases annually. 6,000 of these cases are malignant melanomas. While rare, mortality rates are high and 50 per cent. of patients die within two years.
	The Government has been active in providing information to the public to advise people on the best ways to avoid skin cancer.
	We have with key stakeholders developed the SunSmart campaign. It is run by Cancer Research UK and funded by the UK health departments. Cancer Research UK has received funding of around 400,000 for three years from 200306.
	The SunSmart advice is:
	stay in the shade between 11 am to 3 pm,
	make sure you never burn,
	always cover up with a T-shirt, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses,
	remember to take extra care with children,
	then use factor 15 plus sunscreen.
	Further work by Cancer Research UK is being undertaken on risks associated with sunbeds.
	No new guidelines have been issued in the last three years while the SunSmart campaign has been in place, although there has been variation on the ways in which the messages are put across to the public so as to achieve maximum and continuing impact.
	The messages in the SunSmart campaign have been approved by the members of the United Kingdom Skin Cancer Working Group, which is hosted by the British Association of Dermatologists and includes representatives of the National Radiological Protection Board, the Skin Care Campaign, UK health departments, the Health and Safety Executive and other experts in the subject.
	The following international studies discuss the scientific evidence for sun protection behaviours and messages These studies include: Interventions to prevent skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation, A systematic review, Saraiya, Glantz, Briss et al., Am J Prev Med 2004; 27 (5).
	European Code Against Cancer and scientific justification: third version (2003), Boyle, Autier, Bartelink et al, Annals of Oncology 14:9731005, 2003.
	IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Volume 5, Sunscreens, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, 2001.
	Copies of these studies have been placed in the Library.
	The Chief Medical Officer's advice in his top 10 tips for better health on protection from the sun reiterates the advice in the SunSmart campaign.
	Government also funds the ultra-violet (UV) index on the Meteorological Office website (linked to the Cancer Research UK SunSmart website). Met Office weather reports on television and radio draw attention to the UV index when danger from the sun is high.
	The United Kingdom Skin Cancer Working Group recently established a sub-group to consider questions relating to exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D. This sub-group at its meeting in January 2005 concluded that on present evidence it would be inappropriate to alter the SunSmart messages. However, it noted that an international workshop on the subject of exposure to the sun and Vitamin D levels will take place in Munich in October 2005 involving the organisations Euroskin and the WHOINTERSUN groups. One of the objectives of this international workshop is to produce a peer-reviewed publication as soon as possible. The Government will consider any implications for policy from the evidence in this report when it is available.

Telephone Numbers (0870)

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will prohibit the use of national rate 0870 telephone numbers by general practices and other frontline primary care services; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Yes. From April, no national health service organisations providing local services will not be able to adopt national or premium rate numbers. General practitioner practices currently using national rate telephone lines will be expected to change these to lo-call numbers.

Digital Switchover

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  when she expects to announce the areas of the United Kingdom in which digital switchover will first take place;
	(2)  what criteria will be used in determining the order in which digital switchover will be introduced in the regions;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on her plans to implement a regional roll out of digital switchover.

Estelle Morris: The Government will confirm the timetable once all the remaining issues relating to digital switchover are resolved and we are satisfied that the interests of consumers, especially the most vulnerable, are well protected.
	The order in which regions will be switched off is not one for the Government: it will be based on technical criteria and agreed between broadcasters, multiplex operators and Ofcom.
	We expect Ofcom to issue a statement on the indicative regional order shortly.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Irelandif he will list the membership and political background of the members of (a) non-departmental public bodies of the (i) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, (ii) Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, (iii) Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, (iv) Department of Education, (v) Department of Environment, (vi) Department of Employment and Learning, (vii) Department of Health and Social Services, (viii) Department of Regional Development, (ix) Department of Social Development and (x) Office of the First and Deputy First Minister and (b) health and personal social services bodies.

Paul Murphy: Those appointed to the boards of non-departmental public bodies and health and personal social services bodies are not required to declare their political background. However, they are asked to declare any significant political activity they may have undertaken in the five years prior to the date of their application.
	Information on the membership and declared political activity of applicants and appointees to bodies sponsored by the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration can be found in the Public Appointments Annual Reports, the most recent of which was published in 2004.
	The reports are available from the Library of the House and can be found on the Internet at www.ofmdfinni.gov.uk/publicappointments.

Official Residences

Chris Grayling: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairsif he will list the official residences for which his Department is responsible; who occupies each one; what the annual cost is of running each property; what contribution the current occupants make towards the running costs of each; what the total capital and refurbishment expenditure has been on those properties in each of the past five years; how much money was spent in each property on (a) flowers and plants, (b) wine and entertaining, (c) food, (d) telephone bills and (e) electricity and gas in 200304; how many (i) domestic and (ii) maintenance staff are employed at each property, broken down by post; and what the total cost of staff employment at each was in 200304.

David Lammy: My Department is not responsible for any official residences.
	The Palace of Westminster is responsible for the maintenance of the Lord Chancellor's residence in the House of Lords and for any work that needs to be carried out. There are no permanent staff employed at the residence. The Lord Chancellor's Private Office is responsible for the administration of the residence in terms of organising tours of the residence and keeping the diary of charitable functions. The Department does not make any contributions to the running cost of the residence. No refurbishment work has been carried out in the last five years.
	The cost of (a) flowers and plants, (b) wine and entertaining and (c) food for the past five years is as follows:
	(a) Flowers and Plants
	2004609.23
	200527
	(b) Wine and Entertaining
	2005248.76
	2004- 2,914.12
	2003- 841.49
	(c) Food
	20055,286.46
	200429,440.78
	20038,447.71
	No figures are available centrally before 2003

Visa Appeals

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairshow many visitor visa appeals were successful in 2004.

David Lammy: The latest information taken from IRIS, the electronic database of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), indicates that 10,918 of the family visitor visa appeals promulgated by Immigration Adjudicators during 2004 were decided in favour of the appellant.

Visa Appeals

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairshow many of the successful visitor visa appeals in 2004 were (a) oral and (b) written.

David Lammy: The latest information taken from IRIS, the electronic database of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), indicates that of the 10,918 family visitor visa appeals promulgated by Immigration Adjudicators in 2004, and decided in favour of the appellant, 6,863 were oral appeals, and 4,055 were appeals determined on the papers alone.

Anti-social Behaviour Act

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crack house closures have been secured under the provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 in (a) Birmingham, (b) Bristol, (c) Leeds, (d) Liverpool, (e) Manchester, (f) Newcastle, (g) Nottingham and (h) Sheffield.

Caroline Flint: Data are not collected on a city basis. The latest available information is for closure orders by Government office region for the cities named for the period 20 January to end September 2004 is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 (a) West Midlands 3 
			 (b) South West 24 
			 (c and h) Yorkshire and Humber 4 
			 (d and e) North West 13 
			 (f) North East 7 
			 (g) East Midlands 10 
		
	
	Use of the crack house antisocial behaviour powers form a key part of Operation Crackdown, the national police enforcement three month campaign that is currently running until the end of March and has been signed up to by 33 police forces in England and Wales.

Cycling

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2005, Official Report, column 895W, on cycling, how many cyclists involved in road accidents were reported as cycling without lights in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: It is not possible from the information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database to identify from the number of cyclists cautioned or proceeded against for lighting and reflector offences, what number were involved in road accidents, as the circumstances of the offence are not collected centrally.

Drugs

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantity of illegal drugs was seized in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; and what the estimated street value was of these drugs.

Caroline Flint: Data on the quantity of the main illegal drugs seized in the United Kingdom is available in the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002 Home Office statistical bulletin, for which figures are currently available. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
	The data related to the estimated street value of drugs seized in 2000 (the last year for which the data was collated by the Home Office) is available in Table A: Value at street prices of main drug types seized by police and Customs, United Kingdom 2000 (page 27) of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom 2000 publication.

Drugs

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to ensure that drug users and the wider public are made aware of (a) what drug treatment involves and (b) the potential benefits of drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government recognise the importance of making the public aware of drug treatment and its potential benefits. The Department has taken steps to increase awareness through the Updated Drugs Strategy, published in 2002 and Tackling DrugsChanging Lives, which was published in December 2004 and details progress on all areas of the drugs strategy since its launch in 1998.
	Both these documents describe what drug treatment involves including the benefits of drug treatment as well as the actions that the Government are taking to get more users into treatment.
	An awareness and communications campaign called FRANK was launched by the Government in 2003. This 3 million a year campaign informs young people and their parents, carers and families about the effects and risks of taking illicit drugs, and gives advice, support and all details of drug treatment services.

Drugs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for (a) dealing in and (b) being in possession of (i) cocaine and (ii) LSD (A) Essex police and (B) Southend police have brought successfully in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Data for cocaine and LSD drug possession and dealing prosecutions are currently not collated in the format requested.
	Data on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for cocaine and LSD drug offences, and the number of possession and dealing offences in the Essex police force area, are available in the appropriate sections in the Area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002, (the most recent year for which figures are currently available). Copies are available in the Library.

Drugs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for (a) dealing in and (b) being in possession of (i) ecstasy and (ii) heroin (A) Essex police and (B) Southend police have brought successfully in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Data for ecstasy and heroin drug possession and dealing prosecutions is currently not collated in the format requested.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for ecstasy and heroin drug offences and the number of possession and dealing offences in the Essex police force area are available in the appropriate sections in the Area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002, (the most recent year for which figures are currently available). Copies are available in the Library.

Drugs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for (a) dealing in and (b) being in possession of (i) amphetamines and (ii) cannabis (A) Essex police and (B) Southend police have brought successfully in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Data for amphetamines and cannabis drug possession and dealing prosecutions is currently not collated in the format requested.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for amphetamines and cannabis drug offences and the number of possession and dealing offences in the Essex police force area are available in the appropriate sections in the Area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002, (the most recent year for which figures are currently available). Copies are available in the Library.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There were no meetings of the Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes during the Italian, Irish and Dutch Presidency of the EU.
	Article 22 (3) of Directive 86/609/EEC (on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes) provides for the Commission to establish
	a permanent consultative committee within which the member states would be represented, which will assist the Commission in organising the exchange of appropriate information, while respecting the requirements of confidentiality, and which will also assist the Commission in the other questions raised by the application of this Directive.
	The Commission made a decision on 9 February 1990 (90/67/EEC) for setting up the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Animals for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes under Article 22 of the Directive, including provision for representation and working methods. However, the Committee has never been established. The Commission has made a recommendation for the Directive to be revised. In its initial comments on what amendments might be considered, the United Kingdom has suggested that the Commission should consider either dispensing with or establishing the Advisory Committee.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children (STOP) and (ii) Committee for the implementation of the programme of incentives and exchanges for legal practitioners (Grotius general and criminal) met; when and where each meeting took place; what UK Government expert was present at each meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The STOP II, Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius (general and criminal) funding programmes expired on 31 December 2002. Their Management Committees last met on 23 and 24 July 2002 to agree the successful projects for funding for that final year. They have since been replaced by a single funding programme known as AGIS.
	During the period 1 July 2003 to 31 December 2004 the AGIS Management Committee met three times. On 14 October 2003 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2004. On 27 May 2004 it discussed the evaluation of bids for 2004. On 16 September 2004 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2005. Before each meeting the Home Office conducted preparatory consultations with past bidders, stakeholders, agencies and devolved administrations to discuss the UK's position in the Committee.
	The Committee meetings take place in Brussels. The UK is generally represented at meetings of these Committees by Home Office officials and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
	The composition of the UK delegation is always agreed beforehand and it is possible for Scottish Executive officials to attend meetings of the Committees as part of the UK delegation.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for the prevention of crime (Hippocrates) met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The STOP II, Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius (general and criminal) funding programmes expired on 31 December 2002. Their Management Committees last met on 23 and 24 July 2002 to agree the successful projects for funding for that final year. They have since been replaced by a single funding programme known as AGIS.
	During the period 1 July 2003 to 31 December 2004 the AGIS Management Committee met three times. On 14 October 2003 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2004. On 27 May 2004 it discussed the evaluation of bids for 2004. On 16 September 2004 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2005. Before each meeting the Home Office conducted preparatory consultations with past bidders, stakeholders, agencies and devolved Administrations to discuss the UK's position in the Committee.
	The Committee meetings take place in Brussels. The UK is generally represented at meetings of these Committees by Home Office officials and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
	The composition of the UK delegation is always agreed beforehand and it is possible for Scottish Executive officials to attend meetings of the Committees as part of the UK delegation.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the Joint Action establishing a programme of exchanges, training and co-operation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime (Falcone) met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The STOP II, Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius (general and criminal) funding programmes expired on 31 December 2002. Their Management Committees last met on 23 and 24 July 2002 to agree the successful projects for funding for that final year. They have since been replaced by a single funding programme known as AGIS.
	During the period 1 July 2003 to 31 December 2004 the AGIS Management Committee met three times. On 14 October 2003 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2004. On 27 May 2004 it discussed the evaluation of bids for 2004. On 16 September 2004 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2005. Before each meeting the Home Office conducted preparatory consultations with past bidders, stakeholders, agencies and devolved Administrations to discuss the UK's position in the Committee.
	The Committee meetings take place in Brussels. The UK is generally represented at meetings of these Committees by Home Office officials and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
	The composition of the UK delegation is always agreed beforehand and it is possible for Scottish Executive officials to attend meetings of the Committees as part of the UK delegation.

Europol

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Initiative 2004/C 317/06, OJ C317 of 22 December 2004, the designation of Europol as the central office for combating euro counterfeiting; what additional responsibilities Europol officers will have; what additional rights ensue with regard to (a) activities in the United Kingdom, (b) required liaison by UK officers, (c) obligations by UK courts and (d) the charging of criminals and the location of their hearings; and for what reasons the UK has agreed to sponsor this initiative.

Caroline Flint: The initiative to designate Europol as the central office for combating euro counterfeiting is still being discussed in the Council of Ministers. Its aim is to make Europol a central point at which EU member states and third countries can share information in relation to euro counterfeiting.
	Euro counterfeiting is a growing area of crime. The UK Government considers that this initiative would improve the effectiveness of the fight against euro counterfeiting and consequently agreed to co-sponsor it.
	The designation will not affect the responsibilities, rights or powers of Europol officers or Europol staff in the UK or elsewhere.
	The Bank of England is the designated National Central Office in the UK and as such acts on behalf of the European Central Bank in the UK for matters relating to the counterfeiting of euro banknotes. UK officers send any counterfeit currencies found in the UK to the National Criminal Intelligence Service in the first instance. Counterfeit euros or English sterling are then sent on to the Bank of England which will represent the European Central Bank in court proceedings in the UK. UK officers supplying or requesting information about euro counterfeiting would liaise with Europol staff in the usual way. The initiative creates no new obligations for the UK courts, or in respect of charges or the location of hearings. Charges may be brought in the UK courts for euro counterfeiting crimes.

Europol

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the raids which have been conducted by Europol in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: Europol is not an operational police force and its staff do not have operational powers. Europol does not conduct any raids.
	Since the UK recently ratified the 2002 Protocol amending the convention on the establishment of the European Police office (Europol Convention) and the Protocol on the privileges and immunities of Europol, the members of its organs, the deputy directors and the employees of Europol, Europol staff members are able to be present when joint investigation teams carry out coercive measures. However they will not have any operational powers when they are present in those situations.

Extradition

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the URL is for the internet text of the US/UK extradition treaty as amended in 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The link for the US/UK bilateral extradition treaty can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, at www.fco.gov.uk. The document is available in pdf format under the Command Papers section on the FCO site.

Firearms

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civilians have been issued with a licence to own a pistol for self defence pursuant to section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 in England and Wales in each of the last five years, broken down by county.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 10 February 2005
	None.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 25 and 26 October 2004; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, Cathy Jamieson (Scottish Minister for Justice) and I represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on the 2526 October 2004.
	A list of A points approved (with the exception of items 11 and 32, which were withdrawn) at the Council has been placed in the Library (Document PTS A 50 13815/04). The UK tabled a Declaration on item 1 (European Border Agency), in relation to its participation and its position regarding Gibraltar.
	The main discussion at the Council centred around the new multi-annual work programme, the Hague Programme, which follows on from the programme agreed at the Tampere European Council in 1999.
	The Home Secretary and I welcomed the Presidency's emphasis on evaluation and implementation within the Programme and the importance of delivering work at an EU level which was of demonstrable benefit to the EU's citizens. There was also a useful focus on key areas of work which the UK had been pushing for: on closer police co-operation and more intelligence led policing; on mutual recognition of judicial decisions, respecting the diversity of member states' legal traditions; on biometrics and strengthening our external borders; and on working more closely together to combat terrorism and organised crime.
	In areas where the draft text was less welcome, such as on asylum and parts of criminal justice, we intervened robustly to protect the United Kingdom's interests. The final draft of the Programme went to the European Council on 5 November for final agreement. The final draft accommodated our key priorities and provided a strong foundation for work at an EU level over the next five years which will be beneficial for the UK.
	With regard to other issues on the agenda, the Presidency put forward a compromise solution on the time scale for including biometrics in passports. This would be 18 months from adoption of the Regulation for a first identifier (digital facial image) and 36 months from adoption for the second (fingerprint). I was able to support this as a means to ensure greater security for our borders. The text of the draft Regulation was agreed in principle.
	The Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator (De Vries) outlined to the Council the progress which had been made on peer evaluations. An interim report, covering the 15 old member states, was discussed at the Council on 23 December. A similar report on the new member states will be prepared during 2005.
	The Council did not reach an agreement on the issue of proposed amendments to the Framework Decision on Ship Source Pollution. The Presidency concluded that the issue would be sent to the European Council for further discussion.
	The Commission presented its initiative for a Council Decision on the exchange of information from criminal records. This was a first step in meeting the mandate from the March European Council for a register of convictions and disqualifications. The Presidency confirmed that the Commission proposal would be further discussed in the Working Group.
	In considering other business, the Presidency confirmed its intention to adopt Council Conclusions on improving access to durable solutions and on the development of a common readmission policy, which were subsequently adopted at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 2 November.
	The Commission reported on the evaluation of the Drugs Action Plan for 200004. The evaluation assessed the impact of achievements to date and assessed the areas where more could be done. The Commission called for a future strategy to include clear aims, operational indicators and responsibilities, in order to meet these challenges.
	Also during the Council, on behalf of the UK, I signed the agreement between Switzerland and the EU and EC, regarding their participation in the Schengen acquis. This means that they now join Norway and Iceland in attending Mixed Committees.

Police

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many convictions for drug-related crime have been secured in Durham since 2001;
	(2)  how many convictions for drug-related crime have been secured in North Durham since 2001.

Caroline Flint: Official conviction figures include statistics on convictions for drugs offences, such as possession, supply, and on property crimes such as burglary, but do not contain information on the offender's drug habits. It is therefore not possible to estimate the volume of convictions which are linked to the use of drugs or to the operation of drug markets.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for drugs offences is available for police force areas only and it is not possible therefore to give an estimate for North Durham alone. For the Durham police force area, there were 1,180 convictions for drugs offences in 2001. The equivalent estimate for 2002 is 1,200. This information is available in the area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, UK, 2001 and 2002 filed in the House Library.

Halliday Report

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Halliday report on traffic offences resulting in death or serious injury to be published.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 1 February 2005
	The Home Office consultation paper Review of Road Traffic Offences involving Bad Driving was published on 3 February.

Antisocial Owner-occupiers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce legislation to deal with antisocial owner-occupiers.

Keith Hill: The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to deal with antisocial behaviour specifically in relation to owner-occupiers. Existing measures are designed to work as a package across housing tenure, so antisocial behaviour can be addressed no matter where it occurs.
	Tenure-neutral measures include Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Anti-social Behaviour Orders, injunctions under Section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 and measures to tackle noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Building Regulations

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) changes and (b) additions have been made since 1993 to the Building Regulations; when each (i) change and (ii) addition came into effect; and what the estimated change to (A) the annual cost of new house construction and (B) the overall annual cost of construction resulting from each change or addition was.

Phil Hope: The principal Building Regulations were revised in 1991 and 2000, with amendments in each year except 1993 and 1996. A list of the relevant statutory instruments, is published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website and can be reached at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm buildreg/doc uments/page/odpm breg 600270.hcsp.
	The text of all the instruments, including their detailed content and the date they came into force is available on the website of Her Majesty's Stationery Office by search at: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov. uk/stat.htm The text of and amendments to the 2000 Regulations are also available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's webpage mentioned above.
	Compiling estimates of the costs of all the actual changes since 1993 would incur disproportionate costs, as these are not kept as a running record. However, all proposals for change have been subject to a cost benefit or regulatory impact assessment to ensure they are justified.

Consent Regimes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2005, Official Report, column 1576W, on consents, if he will list the consent regimes that regulate the activities of local government that the Government have resolved to maintain.

Nick Raynsford: Of those consent regimes identified by the 1997 Efficiency Scrutiny, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no immediate plans to deregulate the 56 powers listed as follows. 36 of those 56 powers were recommended for retention by the scrutiny. Our announcement on consent regimes in September 2002 provided explanations for our retention of the additional 20 powers.
	
		
			 Description Number of powers 
		
		
			 Power to consent to employment based teacher training programmes 1 
			 Power to approve the placing of a child with special needs in a non-approved independent school 1 
			 Power to consent to use of ionising radiation in schools and colleges 1 
			 Approval of the provision of welfare services 5 
			 A power to approve the licensing of secure accommodation for children 1 
			 A power to approve an order to direct that a disease is locally notifiable, and to vary or revoke such an order 1 
			 Agreements between authorities to undertake public health functions at airports and ports 1 
			 A power to consent to the provision by a police authority of advice and assistance to international organisations and overseas bodies 1 
			 A power to implement a proposal to establish, vary or revoke a sea fisheries district order 1 
			 Power to approve a reorganisation of small holdings 1 
			 A power to consent to the exercise of land drainage powers by local authorities 1 
			 Power to consent to the delegation of housing management to an agent 1 
			 Power to approve a variation to the model registration scheme for houses in multiple occupation 1 
			 Power to set statutory upper limits on defective housing grants, but also to relax those limits in certain circumstances 3 
			 Housing Act 1985, s294. Extinguishment of public rights of way over land acquired under s290 (land acquired for clearance) 1 
			 Control over areas of special control of advertisements 1 
			 A power (Article 4 Direction) to consent to withdrawal of permitted development rights 1 
			 A power to consent to various planning matters in respect of the local planning authority itself, other than planning permission to develop land 1 
			 Three powers to confirm various orders revoking, modifying or otherwise affecting existing planning permissions or existing uses of land or existing buildings or works 3 
			 A power to confirm orders revoking or modifying listed building consent 1 
			 Approval of orders removing caravan site licence exemptions 1 
			 A power to confirm an order giving access to open country 1 
			 Confirm orders amending definitive maps 1 
			 Confirm public path orders and orders to extinguish or divert footpaths or bridle-ways to enable development 2 
			 A power to approve industrial improvement areas 1 
			 A power to confirm, amend, or revoke limestone pavement orders 1 
			 A power to introduce a requirement to seek consent relating to management schemes for marine sites involving relevant local authorities 1 
			 A power to consent to capitalisation of redundancy costs 1 
			 A power to consent to the sale or appropriation of statutory allotment land, or its use for other purposes 1 
			 A power to consent to commencing certain statutory nuisance proceedings in relation to prescribed industrial processes 1 
			 Police use of wheel clamps on highways in a local traffic authority's area 1 
			 Approval of the transfer of responsibility for enforcing on- street parking controls from the police to local traffic authorities 1 
			 Confirming orders stopping up or diverting right of way for alterations to side roads 1 
			 Two powers to consent to sale or financial restructuring of local authority-owned bus companies 2 
			 Construction of bridges/tunnels on navigable waters/ to divert a non-navigable watercourse 2 
			 Four powers to confirm traffic regulation orders (TROs) and other measures where the Secretary of State is the highway authority 4 
			 Altering tolls at statutory undertakings 1 
			 A power to approve TROs on Crown roads 1 
			 Three powers to consent to establish/maintain or acquire shares in an aerodrome, or operate an ancillary business 3 
			 A power to approve non-standard traffic calming measures 1

Entertainment Costs

George Osborne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent on entertainment by his Office in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created following the machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the following table shows how much the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Central) spent on catering, hospitality and official entertainment in 200203 and 200405.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 241,124 
			 200304 226,880 
			 200405(22) 58,090 
		
	
	(22) Spend to date.
	All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

School Fires

Jim Knight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fires in school buildings were attended by each fire and rescue authority in England and Wales during the period from 1999 to 2004.

Nick Raynsford: The number of schools fires attended between 19992000 and 200304 by Fire and Rescue services in England and Wales are tabled as follows:
	
		Fires(23) in schools, England and Wales, 19992000 to 200304(24)
		
			 Area Number 
		
		
			 England and Wales 6,882 
			   
			 England 6,469 
			   
			 EnglandNon-Met Counties 3,608 
			 Avon 126 
			 Bedfordshire 102 
			 Berkshire 122 
			 Buckinghamshire 80 
			 Cambridgeshire 73 
			 Cheshire 113 
			 Cleveland 138 
			 Cornwall 22 
			 Cumbria 66 
			 Derbyshire 94 
			 Devon 104 
			 Dorset 64 
			 Durham 76 
			 East Sussex 103 
			 Essex 94 
			 Gloucestershire 38 
			 Hampshire 194 
			 Hereford  Worcester 72 
			 Hertfordshire 109 
			 Humberside 163 
			 Isle of Wight 16 
			 Kent 146 
			 Lancashire 247 
			 Leicestershire 98 
			 Lincolnshire 50 
			 Norfolk 58 
			 North Yorkshire 104 
			 Northamptonshire 65 
			 Northumberland 27 
			 Nottinghamshire 125 
			 Oxfordshire 98 
			 Shropshire 38 
			 Somerset 67 
			 Staffordshire 146 
			 Suffolk 49 
			 Surrey 92 
			 Warwickshire 88 
			 West Sussex 114 
			 Wiltshire 34 
			   
			 EnglandMet Counties 2,860 
			 Greater Manchester 663 
			 Merseyside 317 
			 South Yorkshire 199 
			 Tyne and Wear 232 
			 West Midlands 426 
			 West Yorkshire 374 
			 Greater London 650 
			   
			 Wales 413 
			 North Wales 85 
			 Mid and West Wales 139 
			 South Wales 190 
			   
		
	
	(23) Figures are based on sampled data weighted to true brigade totals.
	(24) Provisional.
	Note:
	Excluding incidents not recorded during periods of industrial action in 2002 and 2003.
	Source:
	Returns by Fire and Rescue services to ODPM

Growth Areas (Funding)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) additions and (b) changes to building regulations are under development; when each is planned to take place; and what the estimated change to the annual cost of new house construction resulting from each would be.

Phil Hope: The following parts of the Building Regulations are under review:
	B (Fire safety)public consultation expected this spring.
	F (Ventilation)revised Approved Document expected to be published summer 2005, to come into force 31 December 2005.
	G (Hygiene)public consultation expected early 2006.
	L (Conservation of fuel and power)amendment to Approved Document (L1condensing boilers) April 2005; revised regulations expected to be made summer 2005. to come into force 31 December 2005.
	M (Access and use of domestic buildings)public consultation expected summer 2006.
	In addition, proposals for regulations on sustainability and security are being developed following the passing the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004.
	For parts F and L a partial regulatory impact assessment, including estimated costs of the various options for change, was published last year as part of the consultation exercise on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website and is available, as part of the relevant consultation document, at: http://www.odpm. gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm control/documents/conte ntservertemplate/odpm index.hcst?n=l681=1.
	However, until final decisions have been taken, it would be premature to regard these estimates as definitive. For the remaining parts listed above, a partial regulatory impact assessment will be published which will assess the estimated costs and benefits of recommended changes, as part of the public consultation.

High Hedges

John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to offer training to local councils with regard to the high hedges provisions contained within the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004.

Phil Hope: To assist local authorities in implementing Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003the high hedges legislationthe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be issuing detailed guidance, which will cover such matters as how to deal with complaints and will include model letters and forms. Additionally, we are planning to hold a number of regional workshops to which we will invite members of each local authority in England.

Structural Funds (East Midlands)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list (a) projects and (b) organisations which have received EU Structural Funds in the East Midlands Objective 2 Programme, broken down by amount received.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is available on the website of the Government office for the East Midlands. Full details of projects and organisations that have received European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can be viewed at:
	http://www.go-em.gov.uk/european/obj2/erdf/approved.php?x =0
	Projects and organisations that have received European Social Fund (ESF) can be viewed at:
	http://www.go-em.gov.uk/european/obj2/esf/approved.php?x =0
	The information on the website details grant which has been approved and offered to individual projects and organisations. Requests for information on up to date payments made can be obtained from the Government Office for the East Midlands as follows:
	ERDFMark Klembamklemba.goem@go-regions.gsi.gov. uk
	ESFMelanie Phythianmphythian.goem@go-regions.gsi. gov.uk

Regional Assemblies

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what purpose his Department requested copies of campaign material from North East Says No during the North East referendum period in 2004.

Nick Raynsford: Schedule 12 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 gives designated organisations (the yes and no campaigns) the right to send a referendum address post free. The referendum addresses must be sent by the universal postal provider. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister therefore put in place a contract with the Royal Mail in summer 2004 to deliver these referendum addresses. The total cost was just under 500,000.
	To ensure that the Royal Mail had complied with the contract and delivered the referendum addresses to a high standard, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also had a small quality control contract with NOP. NOP contacted a sample of the electorate by telephone to ask whether they had received leaflets from the yes or no campaigns. To do this effectively, NOP had to describe the leaflets. Therefore officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister requested a copy of each campaign organisation's leaflet from the Electoral Commission and explained in full the reasons for doing so. Copies of these leaflets were not sent to Ministers or special advisers.
	A copy of the questionnaire used by NOP and their results has today been made available in the Llibrary of the House.

Caviar

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much (a) wild and (b) farmed caviar was imported into the UK in each of the last five years, broken down by country of origin.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows UK imports of caviar and caviar substitute for the years 2000 to 2004. Imports for wild and farmed caviar are not separately identified.
	
		Tonnes
		
			 Product/country 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total 
			 Caviar   
		
		
			 Germany 14 1 10 87 69 181 
			 France 3 1 64 9 43 120 
			 Russia 6 7 0   12 
			 Denmark 0 0 2 2 0 4 
			 Greece3 0 3 
			 Others 4 1 2 2 2 12 
			 Caviar total 27 11 78 102 115 333 
			
			 Caviar substitute  
			 Iceland 229 134 17 39 10 430 
			 Denmark 33 52 29 27 26 167 
			 USA 3 38 8 6 21 75 
			 Greece 3 8 3 1 27 42 
			 Netherlands 0 3 1 1 23 29 
			 Others 9 7 15 13 47 91 
			 Caviar substitute total 278 242 73 88 153 835 
		
	
	Note:
	2004 data are subject to amendments until 30 June 2005
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise
	Data prepared by Trade statistics, Food Chain Analysis 3, DEFRA

Photovoltaic Major Demonstration Programme

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure continuity of capital grant support for large scale solar PV installations when stream 2 funding allocations under her Department's 2002 to 2012 solar PV demonstration programme comes to an end in November.

Mike O'Brien: The final call for proposals for the Major PV Demonstration programme will take place at the end of 2005. Grants are expected to be paid up to March 2007.
	The Department plans to continue its support for PV and other building scale renewables through a low carbon building programme. The low carbon building programme is currently under development and there will be formal consultation on this later this year. The programme is expected to begin operating in financial year 200607.

Solar PV

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's estimate is of the number of jobs that will be affected in the solar PV industry and related sectors in (a) Wales and (b) the UK when the Government's 20022012 solar PV Major Demonstration Programme comes to an end in March 2006.

Mike O'Brien: The Department plans to continue its support for PV and other building scale renewables through a low carbon building programme. This programme will succeed both the Major PV Demonstration Programme and the Clear Skies programme which are due to end in March 2006
	The low carbon building programmes is currently under development and there will be formal consultation on this later this year. As recommended in the Renewables Innovation Review, February 2004, the programme will be technology blind addressing building integrated renewables and energy efficiency technologies. Therefore the Department has not estimated the number of jobs that will be affected in the solar PV industry and related sectors by the introduction of this programme.

Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many company (a) directors, (b) managers and (c) secretaries have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for health and safety offences under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 in each year since 1996.

Jane Kennedy: Information is not available in the format requested. The numbers of company directors or other senior corporate officers (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for offences under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in each year since 1996, in cases following as HSE investigation, are as follows:
	
		
			  Year(25) Number of individuals prosecuted Number of individuals convicted 
		
		
			 199697 17 15 
			 199798 6 5 
			 199899 9 9 
			 19992000 17 12 
			 200001 16 15 
			 200102 16 11 
			 200203 18 9 
			 200304(26) 12 10 
		
	
	(25) Year refers to operational year which runs from 1 April to 31 March.
	(26) Figures for 200304 are provisional
	Information specifically about company directors, managers or secretaries is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	Similar figures for local authority cases are not available from the (voluntary) local authority returns on health and safety enforcement.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 19 January, reference 210053.

Chris Pond: An answer was given on 21 February 2005, Official Report, columns 40506W.

Aircraft Carriers

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the (a) timescale for, (b) size of, (c) capability of, (d) contracts for, (e) sub-contracts for and (f) cost of the new aircraft carriers.

Adam Ingram: Our target acquisition cost for the Future Carrier (CVF) programme is around 3 billion, with target in service dates of 2012 and 2015. The project is in its Assessment Phase. We have not so far sought to fix the dimensions of the ships, but are focusing instead on the future capability required. This was outlined in the July 2004 Defence White Paper supplement Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities. As is normal for a project at this stage, the design will continue to evolve. The timescale, cost and performance parameters will be set following the main investment decision.
	We believe that the Alliance approach represents the best prospect for delivering the future carriers to time and cost. Discussions are ongoing on the contracting arrangements for the Demonstration and Manufacture phase of the project.

Army Officers

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) established and (b) current trained strength of officers in the British Army is, broken down by arm.

Ivor Caplin: The information in the following table is the strength and establishment figures for Trained UK Regular Army Officers as at 1 January 2005:
	
		
			 Arm/Service Establishment Strength 
		
		
			 Total 13,720 13,760 
			 Staff 830 820 
			 Household Cavalry/Royal Armoured Corps 800 860 
			 Royal Regiment of Artillery 1,020 1,060 
			 Corps of Royal Engineers 1,290 1,200 
			 Royal Corps of Signals 960 1,000 
			 Infantry 2,500 2,950 
			 Army Air Corps 510 480 
			 Royal Army Chaplain's Department 160 130 
			 The Royal Logistic Corps 1,670 1,640 
			 Royal Army Medical Corps 980 860 
			 Corps of Royal Electrical And Mechanical Engineers 800 850 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Staff And Personnel Support Branch) 230 210 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Provost Branch) 480 470 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Educational and Training Services Branch) 330 330 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Army Legal Services Branch) 120 90 
			 Royal Army Veterinary Corps 20 20 
			 Small Arms School Corps 30 30 
			 Royal Army Dental Corps 170 150 
			 Intelligence Corps 330 280 
			 Army Physical Training Corps 50 40 
			 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps 400 260 
			 Corps of Army Music 30 40 
			 Unallocated   
		
	
	Notes:
	1. UK Regular Army includes nursing services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, mobilised reservists.
	2. Denotes zero or rounded to zero.
	3. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, figures may not always equal the sum of the parts. While rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Chinook Crash

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date flight lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook were given self-authorisation status for VIP flights, prior to the crash of Chinook ZD576 on 2nd June 1994.

Adam Ingram: Flight Lieutenants J. Tapper and R. Cook were granted self authorisation for all Chinook flights, other than displays and role demonstrations, on 23 May 1994.

Queen's Flight

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each of the past three years an aircraft from the Queen's Flight carrying Ministers on official business has stopped off at a UK airport other than RAF Northolt during a return flight from overseas.

Ivor Caplin: The number of occasions in each of the past three financial years an aircraft from 32 (The Royal) Squadron carrying Ministers on official business has stopped off at a UK airport other than RAF Northolt is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 April 2002 to March 2003 17 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 17 
			 April 2004 to February 2005 8 
		
	
	Since RAF Northolt is not open on a 24 hour basis, these figures include occasions when aircraft from 32 (The Royal) Squadron have had to land at London Heathrow when RAF Northolt was closed.

Swan Hunter Contract

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2005, Official Report, column 1017W, on Swan Hunter, what the clerical error was; what investigation he has conducted into the reasons for the error; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I have looked into the reasons behind this error and Ministry of Defence officials have found that:
	Shortly after the parliamentary question was received by the Department on 24 November 2004, officials drafted a reply. That draft reply accurately reflected the situation at that time. This was forwarded to the Department's parliamentary branch on 25 November 2004. As the question concerned a defence procurement issue, the reply was passed to my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Lord Bach)'s Private Office for clearance.
	My hon. Friend the noble Lord was on official duties overseas between the periods 29 November to 5 December, 6 to 9 December, and 9 to 10 December. Some time between the period 5 to 21 December, my hon. Friend the noble Lord cleared the draft reply. Our records do not show the exact date this happened, but this was more likely to have been towards the end of this period.
	On 9 December, the Department concluded its negotiations with Swan Hunter regarding the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) project and a contract amendment was signed. At this point, the reply which had been drafted no longer accurately reflected the situation.
	By the time the reply was signed out of Minister (DP)'s Private Office on 21 December, the answer was incorrect. This was not identified by the Private Office.
	I approved the reply at some point between 21 December 2004 and 7 January 2005, on the assumption that the reply and supporting advice provided was accurate. The reply was returned to the Table Office on 7 January 2005. The reply appeared in the Official Report on the next sitting day, 10 January 2005.
	This was a regrettable incident resulting from a genuine error. There was no intention by Ministers deliberately to mislead the House. My hon. Friend the noble Lord has put in place measures to improve the handling procedures in his Private Office which should help prevent such an incident happening again.